Oldham V Tranmere at Boundary Park : Match Preview

09 November 2012 02:31

Oldham are set to assess the fitness of forward Jose Baxter ahead of the visit of npower League One leaders Tranmere.

Former Everton youngster Baxter, who has been in impressive form since joining Latics on a short-term contract early this season, sustained a dead leg during Tuesday night's lacklustre 2-1 derby defeat to Bury.

Baxter is battling to face the Merseyside outfit, with whom he enjoyed a loan spell with last season.

James Tarkowski endured a torrid time in midweek, scoring an own goal before giving away the penalty that allowed Steven Schumacher to add the ultimately decisive second, but the teenager is poised to continue at the heart of boss Paul Dickov's defence as Jean-Yves Mvoto completes a three-match suspension.

He is expected to be joined at centre-back by Cliff Byrne, who featured against the Shakers despite sustaining a heavy blow to the ribs during last weekend's FA Cup win at Kidderminster.

Tranmere are without Paul Black, Abdulai Bell-Baggie and Andy Robinson.

Black sat out the trip to Hartlepool in midweek with a calf problem while Bell-Baggie was replaced in the first-half after picking up a medial ligament injury. Robinson, who had just returned from a hamstring knock, picked up a fifth booking fo the season and will serve a one-match ban.

Jake Jervis was handed a start at Victoria Park after recovering from an ankle knock and showed no ill-effects during his 74 minutes.

Veteran defender Ian Goodison is set to continue among the substitutes as he continues to search for his first appearance of the season after undergoing knee surgery in the summer.

Tranmere returned to the top of the table after picking up their first win in four games in midweek.